One of my contemporaries(old man) showed up at the range today with a Stevens 200 in .243 that he picked up for something over $200.00. He had two boxes of store bought ammo because his dies haven't come yet.

We could spend some time degrading this ugly duckling but what it did at 100 yards on paper, right out of the box, was something else!!I may have found my Christmas toy.

I like the idea of having multiple barrels I can interchange as the mood moves me and I don't want to use Mausers for this anymore or my 12bvss-s. This may just be a great, inexpensive base set up for wild cating and my type of dicking around.I'm sure I can talk myself into it. roger

It seems to me that this is the perfect base rifle to turn into a custom gun. You can buy the rifle for less than the cost of the action of most other brands. It would also make a great "truck gun". You dont care if it gets a little wear and tear and it shoots great.

quote:

Originally posted by elkhunter:
It would also make a great "truck gun". You dont care if it gets a little wear and tear and it shoots great.

That's the primary reason I just got one in .223. The fact that it was cheap, ugly, light, and had a 1 in 9 twist made me think I might need one. It was confirmed when I saw the targets the guys at my local shop shot early in the day. I am really tempted to get a second barrel in something like a 6.5x.223 or 7TCU just for fun. Or, maybe beter yet, the .204 Ruger?

Just got through talking to Savage service dept. and they said that they do not sell barrels to be chambered and in fact if you want any barrel change they would have to do it??????????????? The use of their action for wildcating and such may be a little more difficult than I anticipated. roger

Luckily I'll just do it myself. No big deal and in the worst case, takeoff barrels abound. No big deal to get a good barrel, chamber, and install it.

Bartsche, as with any job, it's easy with the right tools. Just last weekend, a friend with a Savage, and I, rode down to another friend's house/shop, to swap Savage barrels for friend #1. Doug went from a Savage 223 to. 204, in about 20 minutes, most of that time was spent removing the scope very carefully (Warne rings, I think). Steve had a barrel vise, nut wrench, and headspace gauge, handy, and it didn't take long to swap barrels. Savage discourages this, only because it cuts into selling MORE rifles, and because they have no way of knowing the skill level of the switch hitters, or the quality of the gauges, for that matter. In any event, Doug shot his "new" .204 today, as a matter of fact, and it shot extremely well for him. I did the same thing last March, and mine shoots well, too. Don't let it dissuade you, if you have a modicum of common sense and the tools, it ain't hard.

quote:

Originally posted by ratwhacker:
Bartsche, as with any job, it's easy with the right tools. Just last weekend, a friend with a Savage, and I, rode down to another friend's house/shop, to swap Savage barrels for friend #1. Doug went from a Savage 223 to. 204, in about 20 minutes, most of that time was spent removing the scope very carefully (Warne rings, I think). Steve had a barrel vise, nut wrench, and headspace gauge, handy, and it didn't take long to swap barrels. Savage discourages this, only because it cuts into selling MORE rifles, and because they have no way of knowing the skill level of the switch hitters, or the quality of the gauges, for that matter. In any event, Doug shot his "new" .204 today, as a matter of fact, and it shot extremely well for him. I did the same thing last March, and mine shoots well, too. Don't let it dissuade you, if you have a modicum of common sense and the tools, it ain't hard.

How `bout it Roger? Is that something a Scout Rifleer has?
---

I have GOT to get to a Gun Shop. Didn't even know any "rifles" were being produced under the Stevens Banner. A brand new Bass Pro Shop opens in Clarksville, IN on 14Nov05, so I need to get in gear and go look these rifles over.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Didn't even know any "rifles" were being produced under the Stevens Banner. A brand new BASS Pro Shop opens in Clarksville,

Do you have a favorite load for big mouth ; BASS that is. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
... Do you have a favorite load for big mouth ; BASS that is. roger

Old Lindy Single-Spin Spinner Bait in the Black and Orange pattern for rock ledges and fallen trees. Johnson Spoon with an 8" green worm trailer when working the Duck Weed seeds blown to the edge of a pond.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
One of my contemporaries(old man) showed up at the range today with a Stevens 200 in .243 that he picked up for something over $200.00. He had two boxes of store bought ammo because his dies haven't come yet.

We could spend some time degrading this ugly duckling but what it did at 100 yards on paper, right out of the box, was something else!!I may have found my Christmas toy.

I like the idea of having multiple barrels I can interchange as the mood moves me and I don't want to use Mausers for this anymore or my 12bvss-s. This may just be a great, inexpensive base set up for wild cating and my type of dicking around.I'm sure I can talk myself into it. roger

Roger:

I am 100% with you on this one! I am looking to do the exact same thing!.....A couple of those, and a couple of Boyd's stocks, and then ordering barrels in calibers I want to play around with....

cheeers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Just got through talking to Savage service dept. and they said that they do not sell barrels to be chambered and in fact if you want any barrel change they would have to do it??????????????? The use of their action for wildcating and such may be a little more difficult than I anticipated. roger

Roger,

NO I WON'T!!!!

Check on savageshooters.com... I already checked into this, and their is an entire disneyland of stuff, that guys like you and I can have a blast playing with that action....

They have listed an outfit out of Ohio, that has all sorts of heavy barrels ready to go in a big batch of calibers....

check it out.. if you can't find it, email me and I will forward the links...

cheers
seafire

Yea, SSS (sharpshooter supply) is the Valhalla of shooting the Savages. Pac-nor, Krieger, Adams and Bennet from Midway all have barrels. As does Savageparts.com Try this link for more factory barrels of both contours. http://www.savageparts.com/barrels.html

The Stevens is getting a big reception from us Savage enthusiasts, as it a Savage 110 in a cheaper disguise!

On these Stevens Model 200 can the 25/06 barrel be set back and rechambered to .257 Roberts?
Is there enough meat to work with ?

Interesting write up on this rifle in this past month's National Rifleman. Looks like it'll be a seller.

DB

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
On these Stevens Model 200 can the 25/06 barrel be set back and rechambered to .257 Roberts?
Is there enough meat to work with ?

There are aftermarket barrels available in .257 roberts, so the easiest and most economical thing would be to buy a .257 Roberts barrel and then sell your takeoff to recoup some of the money. If your takeoff was a 7mm08 or other chambering that sells good on ebay, you could probably get most of your money back.

weagle

They are running around $300 after tax. And the stocks are junk. And who in their right mind would build a custom rig off of a Stevens action? Why not just spend another $100 and get the real Savage with an Accutrigger?

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
They are running around $300 after tax. And the stocks are junk. And who in their right mind would build a custom rig off of a Stevens action? Why not just spend another $100 and get the real Savage with an Accutrigger?

I yield to your hightened perception of qualiy cow paddies and intense knowledge of what constitutes a real DOG . Every week I see guys printing small groups with this garbage and they seem to be having FUN.Maybe a lesson you could learn from. No custom rig intended. Oh! I have a very nice 12bvSS-S thank you and it does have an accutrigger. roger

dogcatcher,
1) the stocks are no more junk(probably a helluva lot less junk!) than the tupperware stocks from the other suppliers! At least the STEVENS is free floated and pillar bedded from the factory!! You ever try to free flot a Model 7 tupperware or Model 700 tupperware stock?? Probably not!! BTDT!
2) Real Savage action? It is a REAL SAVAGE ACTION!! Just minus the accutrigger!!
3) And barrel quality is superior to a whole bunch of the "major marketers" out there since Savage never wasted their money on a machine to "beat the hell" out of a peice of metal to make a barrel!!
The trigger is not the best peice of engineering on the Steven's. However with a bit of work and testing can be gotten SAFELY down into the 3-4 pound range. And although I've only tested one of these rifles(25-06) it has been the MOST ACCURRATE OUT OF THE BOX RIFLE I've tested in quite some time!! At the same time I was working on it, I was also breaking in and testing a REMINGTON 700 Stainless, Laminated Thumbhole in .204!! The Remington could do no better than 1.6" with the amazingly accurrate .204 chambering!!! Not until I spent some time floating the barrel and working up loads!! And it cost $350 more than the Stevens!!! And after working on it it still won't outshoot the Stevens!! It was a customers rifle and had it been mine, somebody else would own it!! And I've been accused of having my blood run green(Remington and John Deere)!
Bottom line is: I think the STEVENS 200 represents the best value for the buck out there today!! GHD

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
They are running around $300 after tax. And the stocks are junk. And who in their right mind would build a custom rig off of a Stevens action? Why not just spend another $100 and get the real Savage with an Accutrigger?

--------------------------------------------------
The Savage action is used quite often for custom long range highly accurate rifles
----------------------------------------------------

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
junk. And who in their right mind would build a custom rig off of a Stevens action?

--------------------------------------------------
"The Savage action is used quite often for custom long range highly accurate rifles" JWP475

Didn't know that but glad to hear it. My 10 day California waiting period is over Mon. I think the first thing I'll do is paint the stock a rich brindell brown. roger

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
They are running around $300 after tax. And the stocks are junk. And who in their right mind would build a custom rig off of a Stevens action? Why not just spend another $100 and get the real Savage with an Accutrigger?

If your going to be building a custom gun off a Savage action the Stevens 200 is the way to go. First off, on a custom gun you wouldn't want an accutrigger anyway. I'd go grab a Jewell or a Rifle Basix trigger in the half ounce area and be done with it.

That, and the gripes about the stock are pointless. With the extra $100-$150 you save from buying the Stevens 200 you could easily get a Richards Microfit, or a Boyds stock exactly the way you want it. I personally find the savage laminated stock from a "real Savage" to be a little to plain for my tastes.

IMO if you want a "custom" savage action rifle, the only way to go is the Stevens 200.

I have a Savage 11FNS with accu-trigger that came from Wal-Mart as a 243 and now has 3 different A&B barrels from Midway fitted to it. Although the switch-barrel thing does work, I think that it is only fractionally useful. Don't forget that you need to have a different scope with QR mounts or a different "battle sight zero" setting for the single scope. It IS a neat idea, but it isn't really practical in the field, at least from what I have seen.

I have around $700 into this project and would be happy to get $500 for the rifle, Savage 243 barrel, A&B 22-250 (1-8" twist) barrel, A&B 257 Roberts barrel, headspace gages, and barrel nut wrench.

Jeff

.260remguy, You've got a PM! GHD

quote:

Originally posted by 260remguy:
Although the switch-barrel thing does work, I think that it is only fractionally useful. It IS a neat idea, but it isn't really practical in the field, at least from what I have seen.

I have no intention of taking mine hunting as such. I might but I really want to be easily able to change barrels to test cartridges. I have a number of rifles that could be dedicate to different game. This one , however is intended to facilatate my urge to screw around. I do a little wild catting and a lot of testing of powders and bullets..Let me know if you and GHD make a deal. roger

Same old crap spewed all over the web...these are great guns, just dump another $150 into them for a real stock. Suddenly they are not inexpensive anymore.

Why is it 90% of the custom rigs you see are built off of a 700 action and not a Savage?

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
Same old crap spewed all over the web...these are great guns, just dump another $150 into them for a real stock. Suddenly they are not inexpensive anymore.

Why is it 90% of the custom rigs you see are built off of a 700 action and not a Savage?

If you like remington 700's you should love one thing about the Stevens 200 and that is that walmart is now selling thier model 700's for $299. Seems the old Stevens 200 has big green scrambling to capture some market share back since thier own 710 ain't setting the woods on fire. One of the big retailers (academy sports) even had thier 700s marked down to $269.

weagle

Roger,

I just stumbled across a Savage 116 Stainless for $349.00 on a sale at Bi Mart locally... it was chambered in 7 Mag... but it will be a good platform... as I am interested in the WSSM cartridges...and the long action.. I am looking to purchase another bolt for it, with an 06 bolt face for doing cartridges with that bolt face also.....

I wanted a stainless steel action, since the barrels from Savage shooters come in Stainless...

Also was looking at a stock from Richards Microfit down in So. Cal.....Their laminate in Imperial laminate looks just awesome on with a stainless action... a picture is on their website...

ya might want to check it out....I'd also be real interested in seeing what you were looking to chamber the barrels for? some of those short cases you sent me pics of earlier this year?

keep me posted on the results....

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
Roger,

I just stumbled across a Savage 116 Stainless for $349.00 on a sale at Bi Mart locally...
Just get it and let your wife know what she bought you for Christmas
Also was looking at a stock from Richards laminate in Imperial laminate looks just awesome on with a stainless action... a picture is on their website...

ya might want to check it out....Maybe I'll just drive overI'd also be real interested in seeing what you were looking to chamber the barrels for? some of those short cases you sent me pics of earlier this year? Just one of those and only because my7.62X41 is in Arizona and I don't get to play with it muchMy intent is to get a 250-3000 barrel, a 6mmx 250-3000 (international?) and a 7 X 250

keep me posted on the results....
Got the Mod 200 yesterday and brought it home and was mounting the scope when I found one of thr scope base mounting holes was buggered. After I finih this I'm back to the store. The balance and heft with the tupper ware stock is just plain nice. There are a far number of sharp plastic points and edges created from hot pressing in the checkering but they'LL be EZ to remove. The trigger is about 6.5 lbs but the place where I bought it has replacement spring that will bring it down to 2.5lbs. We shall see.

Let the fun beggin.roger

Well I got the scope mounted today but it's calling for rain tommorrow so maybe I'll do some Christmas shopping and gift wrapping.HO HO HO.

By the by*** the 200 with it's magazine allows you to just lay your cartridge on top of the follower and push it forward and lock it with no problem. Don't need a single shot follower. How nice!!! roger

FWIW, I have not had very good luck with Richards Microfit stocks. Even for common commercial actions, the inletting on the 2 stocks that I have bought from them was poorly done. Although I have not been very pleased with Boyd's inletting for military actions, their inletting for commercial actions is much better than Richards. For price, you can't beat Richards, but their stocks usually need a lot of work to achieve a good fit. That being the case, I can't justify the time and think that I am generally ahead in the stock game by going with a McMillan internet special for $350.

Jeff

I REALLY like the Savage rifles, so I would imagine I'll like the Stevens, too. I did a little trigger work on a pre-accu trigger Savage, so I should be able to work over the Stevens, too. Anybody know of a good, stiff stock for the stevens?

After much adeaux, Wed. the Mod. 200 gets Baptised. Dogcatcher , why don't you just buy one of these plain wraps and go and have some fun.

I know I wouldn't be having a ball going around raining on someone else's parade. roger

quote:

Why is it 90% of the custom rigs you see are built off of a 700 action and not a Savage?

For the same reason that Ford sold a bunch of Mustang II's....... JMO, Dutch.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
...After much adeaux, Wed. the Mod. 200 gets Baptised. ...

Well???

No snivelling and whinning, just the(100yd) truth!

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
...After much adeaux, Wed. the Mod. 200 gets Baptised. ...

Well???

No snivelling and whinning, just the(100yd) truth!

Don't know about 100 yard truth I can only walk to 50** slowly**

First of all as far as accuracy for the first time out I was not disappointed. Out of the box it did not compare to the Savage 12BVSS-S Some loads were MOA or were close to MOA. Some were not.

Somewhere after nursing I started shooting military rifles; the Stevens trigger offered no handicap. It was better than most military triggers.

The real fly in the ointment was the feeding. It was the WORST I ever experienced. Prior to hitting the range ( sound like aa cowboy don't I ) I tried single shot loading by just laying the round onto the follower. This was with 46gr.RNHPs.Worked great. While test firing I tried the same with 55gr PSPs. So sorry Charlie.Ain't gonna happen.

Well OK we'll just use the magazine. What a frustrating mess that was. As the cartridge was slid forward it hit a spot where it literally jumped out of the rifle or if you were operating fast enough the cartridge got caught between the bolt and the action ; that's 1/2 in and 1/2 out. My CZ 527 gave me a little problem similar to this but it really was minor and easily corrected. Comparatively the Stevens' problem is gross.

The only way you could get the thing to feed was to keep the cartridge head on with your finger as you closed the bolt.Probably with a lot of practice a person could become good at this while hunting.

dogcatcher forget going after all that fun with the Stevens 200.The feed problem gravely deminishes any potential problem you'll have with the trigger or the stock, however.Feel free to rain on this parade.

I feel that many of us were and still are hopefull that Savage will agressively remain in the World fire arms market. Apparantley their applications engineering and quality control have taken a great big shit on this one. I for one hope this is the rare exception rather than the rule. Come back Shane!roger snivel, snivel

Bartsche. Thanks for the update. It's frustrating to get something brand new and it has a problem right off the bat. However that action is so simple I can't believe theres not an easy fix. Let us know how it goes.

Weagle

Well I know the easy fix that I'm going to do, I'm just going to wait for one of the 2006 guns. As soon as Savage/Stevens runs out of the current short action receivers they'll start delivering the new centerfeed mag guns. The new S/A receivers have a longer action screw spacing in order to accept the new mags. They might even accept a longer COL if they're the same length as the current centerfeed mag in the American Classic. These centerfeed mags work well with short cartridges like the 30BR and WSMs too.

quote:

Originally posted by weagle:
Bartsche. Thanks for the update. It's frustrating to get something brand new and it has a problem right off the bat. However that action is so simple I can't believe theres not an easy fix. Let us know how it goes.

Weagle

Using the supplied follower and the sheet metal loading rails there is no easy fix. Dung poop Engineering. Truely disappointing.

I was able to jury rig the follower ( 2 1/2Hrs. ) so that now I have a FAIR single shot. It had to be a bailing wire and band aid fix though until I can get or make a single shot follower. roger

Roger, take your feeding question over to the Savageshooters forum and post it on the "Savage bolt action" section. Fred from Sharpshooter Supply is the Savage guru, and he often answers questions with pointers and suggestions. I would temper your disappointment with the feeding with a comment on how accurate you feel it is,or will be. Some very knowledgeable folks there. Don't give up on it yet. Might be as simple as manipulating the follower spring or tweaking the feed lip a bit. From one Savage enthusiast to perhaps another. I was waiting to hear how it was going for you, sorry it wasn't 100% good.